The death of a loved one who shared a passion for golf is profoundly difficult. As you plan their funeral, finding the right golfer’s prayer for funeral to honor their spirit can bring comfort and inspiration. Incorporating thoughtful golf funeral readings provides a meaningful way to recognize their love of the game and the joy it brought them.
This guide offers beautiful golfer’s prayer for funerals, ideal for funerals or memorial services. We’ll provide touching selections from scripture, poetry, literature, and writings from golf legends to celebrate your loved one’s passion for golf in their journey beyond this life.
What is the golfer’s prayer?
The golfer’s prayer is a traditional prayer in the golfing community that golfers recite before teeing off to get focused, set intentions, and connect spiritually. It allows golfers to ground themselves mentally and emotionally before embarking on the challenges of the course.
There are a few different well-known versions of the golfer’s prayer, but most follow a similar theme. The prayer opens by giving gratitude for the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and play the game of golf. It asks for blessings on fellow players, for good sportsmanship, and for the player’s own mental strength and skill development.
The golfer’s prayer then sets intentions for the player to hit the ball straight and true while getting out of their own way. It closes with more gratitude and perspective that golf is just a game that allows community, fresh air, self-improvement, and quality time with loved ones.
Key elements of the prayer include:
- Thankfulness for the gifts of nature, health, and the game
- Well-wishes and goodwill toward fellow competitors
- Appeals for composure, clarity, skill and resilience
- Commits to honesty, integrity, and responsibility for one’s own actions
- Recognizes golf’s higher purpose beyond just winning
While prayer has spiritual roots, it promotes universal values like mindfulness, sportsmanship, and keeping perspective. Its emphasis is on connecting with something larger than just oneself. Reciting it reminds golfers of their best intentions before sinking into the intensity of competition.
The prayer concludes by freeing golfers to walk onto the course with presence, gratitude, and a calm mind – ready to embrace each shot fully. For devoted golfers, reciting this meaningful ritual before tee-off helps set the stage for peak performance and an enriching time outdoors.
Golfer’s Prayer for Funeral from Scripture
Including scripture in a golfer’s prayer for funerals highlights virtues like integrity, perseverance, and good humor exemplified through golf. Here are meaningful Biblical passages to inspire golfers and their families:
Psalm 23 – The Lord Is My Shepherd
This iconic Psalm evokes golf’s setting among peaceful green fields and still waters:
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.”
It brings reassurance of God’s eternal presence and the promise of dwelling with the Lord forever. This passage affirms the deceased’s faith and your own during this difficult time.
Psalm 121 – I Lift Up My Eyes to the Mountains
The opening lines of Psalm 121 will resonate with golfers who find spiritual inspiration through observing nature’s beauty on the course:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
This Psalm offers comfort in God’s watchful presence and protection on life’s journey, just as on an arduous golf course.
Matthew 6:26 – Consider the Lilies of the Field
In Matthew 6:26, Jesus invites us to consider the birds and lilies cared for by God just as we are. It evokes a golfer marveling at nature’s glory amidst the course’s hazards and rough patches:
“Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them…Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.”
This passage speaks of faith in God’s provision and care throughout life’s ups and downs.
John 14:1-4 – There are Many Rooms in My Father’s House.
These verses offer the reassuring promise of eternal peace and reunion with loved ones:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me…In my Father’s house there are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am.”
These words bring hope that golfers will be warmly welcomed into their heavenly homes.
What is the poem for a golfer’s prayer for funerals?
Poems are a beautiful way to pay tribute to a golfer at their funeral service. The right poem can eloquently capture the joy and meaning the sport brought to their lives.
The most fitting funeral poems for golfers focus on themes like nature’s beauty, the discipline required, the camaraderie fostered, and the fulfillment gained through the sport. Poignant metaphors compare golf to life’s journey, with its ups and downs. These heartfelt poems remind mourners of the joy and meaning golf brought the deceased.
Including a poem with imagery that resonates with golfers gives families a unique way to pay tribute. The poem captures in verse what words cannot – the spirit of the game shining within someone who has now passed but is not forgotten.
Funeral Poems Incorporated into Golfer’s Prayer for Funeral
The following poignant poems make beautiful additions to golf funeral services:
Links with Heaven – Frances Ridley Havergal
This Victorian Era poem imagines a golfer being welcomed into heaven still grasping their club – eternal joys await when golf is finally perfected:
“And after earthly strife,/ The children’s feet we long to see/ Run gaily to eternal life,/ With clubs no more too large or small,/ Grasp firm with hand that does not fail,/ Swing easy, making hole in all,/ Links with heaven, where bogies fail.”
His Epitaph – Emily Dickinson
In just four vivid lines, this Dickinson work captures a fitting epitaph for a golfer, with heaven portrayed as the smoothest green:
“Here lies my young beloved,/ Cannonballs around him hurled;/ For him I worked the livelong/ Now he lies a perfect green.”
Success – Ralph Waldo Emerson
This brief Emerson poem outlines success in elegant terms a golfer would appreciate – being true and content with each shot without undue strain:
“To laugh often and much;/To win the respect of intelligent people/and the affection of children; /To earn the appreciation of honest critics/ and endure the betrayal of false friends;/To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;/To leave the world a bit better whether by/ a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;/To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived./This is to have succeeded.”
Prayer for Skillful Hands – Myra Brooks Welch
In this religious poem, the writer petitions God for precise technical skill in her endeavors – equally fitting for a passionate golfer seeking to perfect their swing and shots:
“O God, who works creation with skillful hands – / Molding, shaping, bringing forth beauty – / Gift my hands also with skillfulness and precision. / May these hands, sensitive to touch and tea, / Rough in workmanship, yet gentle in empathy – / Hands that embrace in love and reach out in service – / May these hands now learn new skills / That what they work will honor You, / And bless your hurting world.”
Local or Original Poetry
Consider honoring your golfer with a customized poem written by a loved one or local writer, commemorating cherished memories of watching them tee off or chip onto the green.
Meaningful Quotes and Passages on Golf for Funerals
Including poignant perspectives on golf from sports legends, authors, and coaching icons can celebrate the positive impact golf has had on your loved one’s life:
On Golf and Life from Legendary Players
“The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done.” – Arnold Palmer
Palmer’s words inspire taking on challenges and defying odds through perseverance and skill.
“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots – but you have to play the ball where it lies.” – Bobby Jones
Jones’ quote recognizes that golf mimics life’s ups and downs, which must simply be navigated as they come.
“I have a tip that can take five strokes off anyone’s golf game. It’s called an eraser.” – Arnold Palmer
Palmer’s humorous quote puts golf’s setbacks into witty perspective.
“The more I practice, the luckier I get.” – Gary Player
The player’s words celebrate the fruits of hard work and dedication on the course.
“If you think it’s hard to meet new people, try picking up the wrong golf ball.” – Jack Lemmon
Lemmon’s quip highlights the social pleasures golf fosters.
On Golf from Authors
“Golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course…the space between your ears.” – Bobby Jones
Jones highlights golf’s mental challenges as much as its physical ones.
“Golf is so popular simply because it is the best game in the world at which to be bad.” – A.A. Milne
Milne’s quote lightheartedly captures the sport’s allure and frustrations.
“A good golf shot is like a good life in that it’s not what you achieve, it’s what you avoid that makes it possible.” – Dan O’Connor
O’Connor poetically expresses how restraint and discipline enable excellence in golf and life.
On Golf from Coaches and Players
“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” – Arthur Ashe
Preparation and diligence bolster achievement, as golfers certainly know.
“You must play boldly to stand out, but conform squarely within the rules.” – Arnold Palmer
Palmer advocates creative shot-making while respecting the game’s traditions.
“Success depends almost entirely on how effectively you learn to manage the game’s two ultimate adversaries: the course and yourself.” – Jack Nicklaus
Nicklaus pinpoints the inward and outward mastery that golf demands.
“Focus on remedies, not faults.” – Jack Nicklaus
Nicklaus wisely encourages moving forward positively.
“The more pressure you feel, the more you need to depend on your fundamentals rather than a quick fix… Focus your attention and trust your stroke.” – Nancy Lopez
Lopez stresses returning to sound technique under pressure.
Meaningful Literature Excerpts on Golf for Golfer’s Prayer for Funeral
Moving passages from golf stories and novels also make poignant funeral choices:
“My swing thought was one word: PASSION. I wanted that passion to carry me on, not just through 18 holes, but through life.”
– Last Hope Ranch: A Novel by Carolyn Brown
“Because golf is so mental, its powers of healing are incredible. It takes discipline to focus your mind and perform, and discipline is one of life’s great teachers.”
– Driving the Green by H. A. Dorfman
“They walked side-by-side down the fairway discussing life, laughing, and sharing an unbreakable bond … they recognized the ultimate treasure friendship.”
– Miracle at Augusta by James Patterson
“Playing a hole was like telling a joke with a beginning, middle, and end. It made sense. It had meaning.”
– The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
“Michelle squeezed her golf ball tight, stood tall at the tee, gazed down the rolling fairway, and smiled, ready to live her dream.”
– Girl with a Dream by Frank Defanti
These touching excerpts recognize golf’s role in personal growth, friendship, and pursuing dreams – an uplifting message at any funeral.
Reflections for a Golfer’s Prayer for Funeral
Here are some fitting prayers and reflections for celebrating your loved one’s joy of golf, now carried with them into the next life:
“Lord, may the fairways rise up to meet their shots, the greens hold their approaches, and the winds be ever at their back. As they make their heavenly rounds, may they walk unwearied, play unlimited, and dwell content among kindred golfing spirits.”
“As gentle breezes rustle the leaves, we picture them striding down emerald fairways under blue skies. May cherished memories on the links ease our sorrow, trusting one day we will meet again to share in heaven’s divine pleasures.”
“We now send them to walk the most glorious course of all, where forgiveness erases each stroke, each hazard holds new delight, and their companionship warms all who walk alongside.”
“As they embark to play their final and finest round, we harbor no grief or anger against the Divine Golfer who now calls them home. For we know the fairway stretches forever on that peaceful shore, the spirits of loved ones await, the beer flows freely in the clubhouse of heaven, and joyful cheers will rise when they sink their final perfect putt.”
“As dark storms may gather overhead across life’s course, the light within their spirit never faltered. Now they journey to skies forever clear and bright, where each breeze carries hope, each step leads toward truth.”
“With club in hand they ventured forth, discovering nature’s splendors from first light’s sparkle to sunset’s tranquil glow. May their memory be cherished through each blessing we witness on the course – the stillness of early mornings, the iridescent flash of a bluebird’s wings, the camaraderie and laughter echoing across the fairways.”
Golfer’s Prayer for Funeral from Literature
The renowned writing on golf below commemorates how the sport cultivates lasting bonds and instills timeless values:
From “Psalm of the Tee” in Golf in the Kingdom by Michael Murphy
Murphy depicts golf as a spiritual quest – the kingdom’s holy grail realized through inner growth versus mere scoring:
“When we bump a drive or flub a chip, may we not dwell with dark thoughts, but know the fault lies within us, while the heavens above bear no blame… If we cannot gain the holy grail at one seeking, nor taste the kingdom’s cup this round, grant us patience to work thy will, on course as in life.”
From Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book by Harvey Penick
This iconic golf coach shares wisdom on savoring each shot despite results:
“A good player who loses her temper will lose her way. Lose your temper but not your way which has taken untold years to gain…The way leads you forward to the kingdom which exists where each shot must be played for its own unique, vanishing moment.”
From “The Legend of Bagger Vance” by Steven Pressfield
Pressfield’s novel imagines a mystical golf caddy prodding a war veteran toward transcendence:
“Inside each and every one of us is one true authentic swing… Something we was born with… Somethin’ pure and unspoiled… Somethin’ that’s us, and nobody else… Your swing. Can’t nobody give it to you or take it away. You got to find it yourself. It’s the glory of bein’ you, done in a way that only you alone can do it.”
From “A Good Walk Spoiled” in Shanks for Nothing by Rick Reilly.
In this story, a grieving widower finds meaning by continuing their golf tradition:
“In the end, the three things I took away were simple. Golf is only a game. His spirit lives on in my heart. And whenever possible, walk. Just walk the course hand-in-hand with your loved ones. Take in nature’s splendor – because each fairway leads to the final one which even death cannot close.”
These works recognize golf’s role in reaching one’s potential and providing comfort through loss.
Conclusion
A golfer gives their final farewell, knowing the joys of golf never truly end. The memories linger, and the best is yet to come in fairways forever green.
We hope these meaningful selections help make your loved one’s funeral or memorial uniquely personal by honoring their passion for golf. Their legacy lives on in every birdie, long drive, and little white ball soaring under blue skies.
Whether you choose scripture, poetry, spiritual reflections, or passages from the great golf literature, the readings and prayers you select will provide comfort, inspiration, and celebration of a life well played.
Frequently Asked Questions on Golfer’s Prayer for Funeral
What other elements can I incorporate to personalize a golfer’s service?
Consider displaying their golf bag, signature club, trophies, or a framed photo of a cherished course. Share special memories in your eulogy, like their first birdie or ace. Play their favorite golf tunes or serve their beloved 19th-hole refreshment. Bestow golf accessories like balls, tees, or ball markers on guests as keepsakes.
What is an ideal funeral reading length?
Aim for selections of approximately 1-2 minutes when read aloud at a moderate pace. Passages of 3-5 minutes can work for significant texts. Include line breaks between longer excerpts. Brief, memorable phrases also make meaningful choices for the golfer’s prayer for funerals.
Should I modify religious readings if our family is non-religious?
Adapt prayers or scripture to align with your beliefs. Change specific names for God or remove religious references as needed. The spiritual essence and metaphorical meaning can remain. Focus on inclusive themes like love, nature, gratitude, or hope that resonate across beliefs.
Can I incorporate humor appropriately into a golfer’s prayer for funerals?
Humor provides welcome moments of lightness when celebrating a golfer’s life. Choose amusing anecdotes they would appreciate that highlight their spirited love of the game and life. Golf-themed jokes or witty quotations can also elicit fond memories when used tastefully. Most importantly, ensure any humor aligns with the family’s preferences.
We hope these selections help guide you to funeral readings that memorialize your golfer in a heartfelt, meaningful way. Their legacy lives on in every swing, birdie, and little white ball soaring under bright blue skies until you meet again for that perfect round.